Faith: The Sum Of The Total

Faith is often referred to as a religion. As it is true, Christianity is based on faith, faith is not what we believe in. Faith is something every human possesses to some degree. Simply put, faith is believing in the unseen. Our Lord is not draconian; our entire relationship with Him depends on faith, as allowed by His Grace (Eph 2:8). Our salvation depends on faith, in His inerrant Word, and His promise.
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If we are aware of His Word, which was written allegorically, we possess all the evidence needed that God's Word is inerrant. Biblical Prophecy has never been wrong. The first coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, was thoroughly mapped out all throughout The Old Testament, thousands of years before His birth. His second coming is also mapped out, in The New Testament. We are expected to believe, based specifically on proof by The Old Testament, our Christ will come again.
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Mat 17:20 tells us if we have "Faith the size of a mustard seed" nothing is impossible. The mustard seed was the smallest planted by the Jews of Jesus' day, yet the bush grew to be eight to twelve feet high and birds made their nests in the branches. In general terms, the smallest amount of faith will be richly rewarded, as even small faith is real faith.
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On a more specific note, Mat 8:5-13 tells of the centurion, a Gentile, who went to Jesus in total faith as his servant lay dying. Jesus offered to go to the centurion's house to cure him, but, the centurion exclaimed through faith, "...only speak the word, and my servant will be healed." Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith." The servant was healed in that hour.
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Jesus knows, because we are human, we are going to have a little doubt and fear. Before Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, He experienced great suffering, as He knew what He faced. In the end, He knew the Father's Will be done. The Lord does not want that we live in pain and suffering, though. If we are to have faith, we know with all our heart that God will not forsake us in our righteousness.
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Unfortunately, most professed Christians do not spend a lot of time in a relationship with the Lord, until they are suffering. Then, we expect the Lord to come to our assistance immediately, because we are 'believers'. What exactly do we believe? That even though we are sinners, God is at our beckon call? In as much the same way non-believers, and believers alike, resort to 'God causes bad things to happen', we get mad when He doesn't answer our specific prayers.
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When are we for God? God doesn't need us, but, fortunately for us, He wants us. He has a specific Will for our life. When was the last time you prayed for what His specific Will is for your life? Prior to your need, or situation you pray for, did you diligently serve the Lord? Did you pray without ceasing? That doesn't mean we must pray every second of the day, but, we should go through the day seeking His guidance and appreciating Him, for sure.
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Faith is not just believing Jesus died on the cross, but, that He did it for us so that we can be healed. Healing is included in the work of Jesus, as redeemer. The Bible does not indicate that we become sick because we sin, nor does God intend to heal every sick person, and remove every malady. To everything there is a season, and to every season there is a purpose under Heaven.
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Sometime, we go through seasons where we just don't feel God is there. We feel He is not answering our prayers. Many times, God is answering us, we just don't see it. Many times He is not, for a reason. He is working things in our lives of which we cannot conceive. We cannot possibly see everything and know what is best, as does God. If we are righteous, without iniquity, the Holy Spirit is always with us, and in us. If we learn to trust in Him, we will release the fretting. In His perfect timing, we will receive the blessings He intends, if we do not interfere in His work. That is faith.
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I listened to a woman explain to another woman, she prayed for a specific 'mountain' to be moved in her life, with all her heart. She went to bed, and as soon as she awoke the next morning she checked. The mountain in her life was still there. She exclaimed to the other woman, "I knew it!" That is not faith.
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I am not perfect, but, I believe if we do the very best we can to stay righteous, and have faith in God's Word, and stay faithful to Him, He will be faithful to us. If we pray for a specific thing (that is God's will) to be done, and believe it is done, it will be done. By my own experience, I have seen God do the impossible. He waited until the darkest hour, which He often does, so that there would be no doubt of His Glory. In two of the most important issues in my life, I had complete faith, it would be done. There was no possible way it could have been anything other than Divine intervention.
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No matter what is going on in our lives, it is not important that we understand how God is working. No matter how bleak things get, trust in Him with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding (Prov 3:5)
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Adrian Rogers once said, "It’s faith that enables us to live the Christian life. In order to know what faith is, let me tell you what faith is not. Faith is not a hunch. Nor is it positive thinking. Faith is not responding to emotions, feelings, or icicles up and down your spine or miracles, signs and wonders. Faith is not believing that God can do something. Faith is knowing that God will. Faith is taking God at His word. Real faith dies to doubt. It is dumb to discouragement. It is blind to impossibilities. Now this is the kind of faith we need."

But strive first for the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough worry for today. (Mat 6:33-34)